ANTIsocial behaviour in Ferndown town centre is a priority issue and will not be tolerated, a senior police figure has said.

Inspector Ernie Henley was responding to questions from town councillors.

He acknowledged that during the winter there is an influx of young people congregating near Tesco and the Barrington Centre in Penny's Walk as it was well lit and somewhere the youngsters felt safe.

But he said there are more police officers in the town on Fridays and Saturdays on patrol, speaking to people, listening to concerns and responding to issues.

Inspector Henley said: "I wish we had all the answers in relation to anti-social behaviour. It's one of those things when you get young people regardless of what they are doing that antisocial behaviour will follow.

"It's our priority. We are doing a lot of work to try to tackle antisocial behaviour, putting officers out and about, moving them youngsters on and being in the area to reassure other members of the public.

"We are doing a lot of work in relation to education, working with the high profile antisocial behaviour offenders."

The meeting heard that new legislation now gives police the powers to move people from an area for up to 48 hours for alcohol-related antisocial behaviour. If they returned, they could be arrested.

But Inspector Henley stressed that it would help if there were activities that young people could be directed towards.

The meeting also heard that CCTV was not always the answer as images could be blurred or shadowed.

However, East Dorset District Council has carried out a review of the town centre and one idea is to extend existing coverage.

Responding to a question from councillor Queenie Comfort, Inspector Henley said the community office within the Barrington was currently staffed three times a week, but could do with more volunteers.